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Mini excavators have become one of the most popular machines for small contractors, landscapers, and owner-operators across Australia. They’re compact, versatile, and capable of tackling a wide range of jobs — from trenching and drainage to landscaping and site preparation.
But if you’re thinking about buying one, the real question is:
How much can you actually earn with a mini excavator?
The answer depends on your hourly rate, the type of work you take on, and how often you’re operating the machine. Let’s break down the typical earnings and what you can realistically expect.
In Australia, mini excavator rates vary depending on factors like location, experience, machine size, and attachments.
Typical rates include:
Machine + operator: $90 – $140 per hour
Machine hire only: $70 – $100 per hour
Higher rates are often charged when specialised attachments are used, such as augers, trenchers, or hydraulic breakers.
Rates can also increase when transport to the job site is included.
For more information, full pricing and package options, Register Here
Your weekly income will depend largely on how many hours you work and the jobs you take on.
15 hours per week
$100 per hour
Estimated weekly income:
$1,500 per week
Many people run mini excavators as a side hustle, taking on weekend jobs or smaller projects.
35 hours per week
$110 per hour
Estimated weekly income:
$3,850 per week
For operators working consistently with builders, landscapers, or councils, a mini excavator can generate a solid full-time income.
One of the biggest advantages of owning a mini excavator is the wide range of work available. Smaller machines are particularly valuable because they can access tight residential sites where larger equipment cannot.
Some of the most common jobs include:
Trenching for plumbing or electrical lines
Fence post holes and footings
Landscaping and yard levelling
Drainage installation
Site preparation for sheds or small builds
Small demolition jobs
If you’re exploring opportunities, check out our guide to Side Hustles You Can Start With a Mini Excavator, which covers some of the easiest ways to get started.
Like any equipment business, operating a mini excavator also comes with costs.
Typical expenses include:
Fuel
Insurance
Routine servicing and maintenance
Transport to job sites
Replacement parts or attachments
While these costs are important to factor in, mini excavators generally have lower operating costs compared to larger construction machines.
For a detailed breakdown, see our article on How Much Does a Digger Cost in Australia?
Many buyers consider a mini excavator an income-producing asset rather than just equipment.
For example:
Machine purchase price: $45,000
Average rate: $100 per hour
If you operate around 20 hours per week, your machine could generate around $2,000 per week in revenue before expenses.
At that rate, the machine could potentially pay for itself within 6–12 months, depending on workload and operating costs.
If you’re regularly hiring machines for projects, purchasing your own can sometimes make more financial sense over time.
Ownership means:
You control availability
No ongoing hire costs
Potential to earn income from additional work
Our guide on Mini Excavators vs Hiring: Which Makes More Sense Long-Term? breaks down this decision in more detail.
For many contractors, landscapers, and small operators, a mini excavator offers:
Strong demand across construction and landscaping
Relatively low startup costs compared to heavy equipment
Flexible earning potential
The ability to work part-time or full-time
With the right jobs and steady demand, a mini excavator can become a valuable tool and a reliable source of income.
If you’re considering buying a mini excavator, it’s worth thinking about not just the purchase price, but the earning potential it can unlock.
Between residential work, landscaping projects, and small construction jobs, there’s no shortage of opportunities for operators willing to put the machine to work.
To learn more about choosing the right machine, read our guide to Buying a Digger or Excavator in Australia.
If you regularly need excavation work done — whether for landscaping, construction, plumbing, fencing, or rural property maintenance — you’ve probably asked yourself:
Should I keep hiring a mini excavator… or just buy one?
For many Australian tradies and property owners, buying a mini excavator can make far more financial sense in the long run.
Let’s break it down clearly.
Hiring might seem convenient at first. You pay a daily rate, use the machine, and return it done.
But over time, those hiring fees add up.
Typical hire costs can include:
Daily or weekly hire rates
Delivery and pickup fees
Damage waivers
Fuel charges
Availability delays
If you’re hiring even once or twice a month, you’re often spending thousands per year, and at the end of it, you own nothing.
At Digger King, our machines start from:
You can see the full breakdown here
When you purchase your own mini excavator:
You build an asset
You control availability
You can take on more jobs
You can earn income with it
You eliminate ongoing hire fees
For many owner-operators, the machine can start paying for itself surprisingly quickly.
Let’s simplify it:
If you hire at approximately $400 – $600 per day and use it:
2 days per month = potentially $9,600 – $14,400 per year
Over 2 years = $19,000 – $28,000+
That’s more than the cost of owning your own machine.
Meanwhile, owning means:
No booking delays
No rush charges
No weekend premium rates
No limitations on job timing
Hiring can make sense if:
You only need a machine once or twice per year
You’re testing the waters before committing
You have short-term project needs
But if excavation work is even semi-regular for you, hiring becomes expensive quickly.
Buying makes sense if:
You’re a landscaper, plumber, builder, or fencing contractor
You own rural property
You take on renovation or drainage projects
You want to start a side hustle
Owning gives you the flexibility to:
Take last-minute jobs
Work weekends
Help neighbours or clients
Generate extra income
You can explore available models and packages here
Compact, easy to transport, and ideal for tight access jobs, machines like our 1.3 Ton are perfect for owner-operators and property owners.
They’re designed to handle:
Landscaping
Trenching
Post holes
Drainage
Site prep
All while being simple to operate and maintain.
Hire yards get booked out, especially during peak seasons.
Owning means the machine is ready when you are.
Owning allows you to:
Expand services
Increase job capacity
Improve scheduling efficiency
Your mini excavator remains a tangible asset. If your circumstances change, you still retain resale value.
We deliver Australia-wide, making it easy to get your machine wherever you’re located.
For details on ordering and delivery, visit our FAQ page
If you only need a machine once a year, hire.
If you need it regularly, buying usually makes more sense long-term.
Instead of paying ongoing hire fees, you could be investing in your own equipment, building equity, and even creating a new income stream.
Call us on 1300 810 059
Diggers from $14,990+GST
Australia-wide delivery
See full range pricing
If you’re thinking about buying a digger, one of the first questions you’ll ask is simple: how much does a digger cost?
The short answer is—it depends. The long answer is worth understanding properly, because choosing the right digger (at the right price) can make a big difference to your productivity and return on investment.
Below, we break down what affects digger pricing in Australia and what you should expect to pay.
For more information, full pricing and package options, Register Here
For many tradies, contractors, farmers, and owner-operators, a compact or mini digger is the sweet spot.
At Digger King, diggers start from $14,990+GST.
This price point makes owning your own machine far more achievable than many people expect—especially when compared to ongoing hire costs.
Not all diggers are priced the same. Several factors influence the final cost:
Smaller mini diggers are more affordable and ideal for:
Landscaping
Tight access jobs
Residential construction
Larger machines cost more but offer increased digging depth, reach, and lifting capacity.
Reliable engines, smooth hydraulics, and strong breakout force all impact price. A well-balanced machine can save you time and fuel on every job.
Buckets, augers, rippers, and other attachments can affect overall value. Always check what’s included as standard versus optional extras.
A cheaper upfront price doesn’t always mean better value. Machine strength, component quality, and ease of maintenance all matter long-term.
Hiring a digger can make sense for one-off jobs, but costs add up fast. Many customers find that after multiple hires, buying a digger outright is often more cost-effective, especially if you’re using it regularly.
Owning your own digger means:
No hire availability issues
No daily or weekly hire fees
Work on your schedule, not someone else’s
Absolutely—when you choose the right supplier. A competitively priced digger should still deliver:
Strong performance
Practical features
Reliable support
The key is buying from a business that understands Australian conditions and real-world usage.
If you’re entering the market, a realistic starting point is $14,990+GST for a quality compact digger. From there, pricing increases depending on size, specifications, and setup.
If you’re unsure which digger suits your needs, it’s always best to speak with a specialist and compare models side by side.
Call us on 1300 676 996
Diggers from $14,990+GST
Australia wide delivery
See full range & pricing
Mini excavators aren’t just powerful machines for tradies and landscapers — they can be profit-making tools for entrepreneurs, hobby farmers, or anyone looking to start a side hustle with practical equipment that pays for itself. At The Digger King, our mini excavators are designed to be affordable, easy-to-operate, and versatile, giving you the freedom to earn extra income while delivering quality service.
For more information, full pricing and package options, Register Here
A mini excavator from The Digger King helps you take on jobs quickly and efficiently without expensive overheads. These machines are affordable, come with multiple attachments, and are suitable for a variety of small-to-medium jobs — making them ideal for earning income on the side.
Whether you’re new to equipment operation or experienced in earthmoving, you can use your mini excavator for specialised services that customers pay well for — often at rates much higher than the machine’s operating costs.
Mini excavators are perfect for landscaping work like:
Removing trees and stumps
Leveling garden beds
Installing retaining walls
With the right buckets and attachments, you can offer these services to homeowners and landscapers who need extra help.
Try out and see which kind of digger is for you
Trenching for irrigation, plumbing, or electrical lines is in high demand. Many property owners need narrow, precise trenches — a perfect job for a mini excavator.
With attachments like batter buckets or narrow buckets, you can take on tasks swiftly and professionally.
Farmers often need help with:
Digging fence lines
Clearing paddocks
Installing water troughs
Offering your mini excavator services on weekends gives you a flexible side income while helping rural clients get work done faster.
The 1.5R King Pro or 1.8 King Pro are perfect for rural jobs
Good drainage is essential for any property — whether residential or commercial. Providing drainage excavation or site preparation jobs can command higher hourly rates because clients rely on precision and experience.
Smaller construction projects — like decks, garages, or renovation work — often need excavation but don’t require a large machine.
By offering services as a subcontractor using your mini excavator, you get paid for:
Footing digs
Site cleanup
Material handling
This kind of diversified work pipeline can keep your side hustle steady throughout the year.
For more information, full pricing and package options, Register Here
✔ Market where your customers spend time — local community groups, trade boards, and small business portals.
✔ Invest in attachments — like narrow buckets or rippers — to expand the types of jobs you can take.
✔ Set fair hourly and daily rates to stay competitive but profitable.
✔ Keep machines well-maintained — this builds repeat business and referrals.
A mini excavator from The Digger King isn’t just a machine — it’s a business opportunity in a trailer-ready package. Whether you’re starting a weekend side hustle or expanding your existing trade business, these machines are built to be reliable, easy to operate, and suited for a wide range of profit-making jobs.
Ready to get started? Check out our excavator range and financing options — find the machine that fits your goals and budget.
For more information, full pricing and package options, Register Here
Choosing the right digger or excavator is a big decision—whether you’re starting a new earthmoving business, upgrading equipment, or buying your first machine for farm or property work. With so many options on the market, understanding what really matters can save you thousands of dollars and years of frustration.
At Digger King, we work with customers across Australia every day, helping them choose reliable, cost-effective diggers that suit real Australian conditions. This guide breaks down everything you need to know before buying.
For more information, full pricing and package options, Register Here
In Australia, the terms digger and excavator are often used interchangeably. Technically:
Excavator is the formal industry term
Digger is the everyday name used by operators, tradies, and property owners
Both refer to machines designed for:
Trenching
Earthmoving
Landscaping
Plumbing and drainage
Footings and foundations
Mini diggers (also called mini excavators) are especially popular in Australia due to their versatility, transportability, and lower operating costs.
Know more about our diggers here
Mini excavators have become one of the fastest-growing machine categories in Australia—and for good reason.
Easy to transport on a trailer
Ideal for tight access sites
Lower fuel consumption
Reduced maintenance costs
No compromise on capability for most jobs
For many buyers, a 1.7T–2T mini excavator is the perfect balance between power and practicality.
See available models and specs here
Not all diggers are built the same. Australian conditions demand machines that can handle heat, dust, hard ground, and consistent use.
Look for proven engines and strong hydraulic systems that deliver smooth, responsive control—especially important for trenching and precision work.
Reinforced booms, heavy-duty pins, and quality welds make a huge difference in long-term durability.
A good digger should support multiple attachments such as:
Buckets (various sizes)
Rippers
Augers
Hydraulic thumbs
Many buyers assume used machines are cheaper—but that’s not always true in the long run.
Unknown service history
Higher risk of hydraulic issues
Limited or no warranty
Known specifications
Warranty-backed confidence
No hidden wear or abuse
Ready for work immediately
For many Australian buyers, a new mini excavator offers better value and peace of mind—especially when pricing is competitive.
General guide:
| Job Type | Recommended Size |
|---|---|
| Landscaping & trenching | 1–1.8 tonne |
| Plumbing & drainage | 1.7–2 tonne |
| Rural & farm work | 2 tonne+ |
| Commercial earthworks | Larger excavators |
Choosing slightly more capacity than you think you need is often the smarter option.
For more information, full pricing and package options, Register Here
Beyond the purchase price, buyers should budget for:
Mini excavators remain popular because these costs stay manageable.
Learn more about financing a digger here
Buying a digger isn’t just about the machine—it’s about reliable support, parts availability, and delivery. Digger King supplies machines Australia wide, supporting both metro and regional buyers.
Owning a digger can quickly pay for itself by increasing productivity, expanding service offerings, and reducing manual labour. With the right machine, many Australian operators unlock new income opportunities.
Call us on 1300 810 059
Diggers from $14,990+GST
Australia wide delivery
See full range & pricing: Price list
For more information, full pricing and package options, Register Here
For further information about our range of products and prices, please enter your details in the form below to get access to instant pricing and the opportunity to have the information package posted out to you.
